Antibiotic Allergy

Q:  Can anything be done for people who are allergic to the antibiotics that dentists prescribe prior to performing invasive work such as extractions or root canals?

A:  Penicillin or one of its relatives is usually the antibiotic prescribed for people prior to dental procedures. Although it is possible to desensitize people by giving them steroids to suppress an allergic response before taking penicillin, the safest course is just to take another antibiotic. An allergist can perform skin tests to determine if a penicillin allergy is present.

Dr. Rebekah Wang-Cheng is a former Professor of Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Her medical advice column, which answers health-related questions from readers, also appeared in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.